The Board of Selectmen held a meeting on Wednesday, April 29, 2015 at Salem Town Hall, 33 Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH.

Transcription

1 Board of Selectmen April, MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF SELECTMEN Kinder Morgan Pipeline Meeting April, 0 The Board of Selectmen held a meeting on Wednesday, April, 0 at Salem Town Hall, Geremonty Drive, Salem, NH. PRESENT: Chairman Keller, Selectman Everett P. McBride Jr., Selectman Stephen Campbell, Selectman Michael J. Lyons, Selectman Pat Hargreaves and Keith R. Hickey (Town Manager). CALL TO ORDER: Chairman Keller began by calling the meeting to order at :00 p.m. He joined the Board in the Pledge of Allegiance. Chairman Keller discussed the purpose of the meeting and the order of events which include a presentation by Kinder Morgan, comments by the Board and comments by residents. Chairman Keller talked about meeting in October with the Town Manager and Kinder Morgan and laying out a path, scheduling the meeting and providing Kinder Morgan with a series of questions that residents want answers to. Town Manager Hickey discussed information available tonight which is online along with copies available for tonight s meeting. Steve Keady, Public Affairs; Mark Hamrich, Project Manager and Michael Lennon, Right of Way Supervisor. Mr. Keady talked about where they are in the process: Communicating with communities and entering a pre-filing phase Holding meetings with impacted towns Filing with FERC will occur in fourth quarter of 0 Anticipated FERC Approval fourth quarter 0 Proposed start of construction activity January 0 Proposed in-service November 0 Docket #PF--000 Mike Lennon discussed the specific route through Salem: Mileage.0 miles with landowners and projected taxes at $0,000 Full surveys still need to be done Proposed map of filing of alignment sheets available on Existing easement, proposed new pipeline area along with temporary workspace Town of Salem NH Page

2 Board of Selectmen April, Mark Hamrich discussed the construction process: Utilize and re-evaluate the takeoff in Dracut Develop project through Salem replacing line with a 0 line Process of different crews doing construction in different phases Removal of existing pipeline gas evacuated and cleaned Installation of pipeline steps Techniques regarding residential construction which could last - months of activity Project route of entire project starts in Pennsylvania Purpose of project is to bring gas from supply area to market area Selectman McBride asked about current lines. Chairman Keller asked about a detailed map of properties impacted. Mr. Lennon talked of full-size drawings being very detailed and the print-outs are smaller version and in the Fall 0 they should have a specific plat available for each property owner. Mr. Lennon stated they do not have the level of detail parcel by parcel for tonight s meeting and each easement vary and until you can conduct a detailed title research you cannot show a detailed map. Mr. Lennon talked about knowing the parcels affected and that they are part of the process and that they are still notifying people that are in this corridor. Chairman Keller asked for a property map with an overlay for each property owner and that he was expecting this tonight and stated his disappointment that this was not supplied for residents tonight. Town Manager Hickey asked Kinder to detail what is different tonight versus the Fall 0. Mr. Hamrich stated the alignment is different, detailed FERC resource reports that were filed in March and the change from rd line plan to a pipeline plan. Diane Paquette, Pelham Road asked about the emergency services and a liason and also an emergency in Salem regarding training and personnel. Tom Campbell, 0 Zion Hill Road and a member of the Conservation Committee stated his concern being the Worlds End Pond and Wetlands impacted along the corridor. Mr. Hamrich talked about the wetlands protection and once identified, biological surveys are done, crews identify species, cultural surveys are done and eventually before its built access to the lands needs to occur. Mr. Hamrich said wetland mitigation can be done by construction techniques or other techniques. Steve Sirois, Theresa Avenue stated he has a 0 and line through his driveway and this change would impact him and that he is 0 from there and the question he has is in another line was put in on and that line is about a ½ mile from where this line is to stop and he asked where the customer is going to get the gas. Town of Salem NH Page

3 Board of Selectmen April, Mr. Hamrich talked about the existing line and where it goes then discussed the route. Mr. Hamrich said the existing line starts in Dracut, goes through Methuen and Salem and when it leaves Salem, there is another pipeline that goes south for the Lawrence delivery. The and 0 go to Haverhill and there are two meter stations that exist there. Mr. Hamrich said National Grid and Bay State are customers that signed up for gas and to get there, and the proposed new line only goes so far to get the additional volume down to Lawrence and Haverhill. Chairman Keller asked for clarification on the process. Mr. Hamrich talked about limiting times during construction, road closures, trenching road, pulling pipes out, putting new pipes in and then backfilling the roads and then pavement. Mr. Hamrich stated there shouldn t be any permanent structures on the easements currently held but if there is, they will be working with homeowner regarding movement. Mr. Lennon said discussion will occur with individual landowner and talks about timing, specific construction techniques will happen. Bob Elliott, Sate Representative, Centerville Drive spoke about wanting to know if this is a cut and dry deal and where do they go to get an answer on this intrusion on our Town and is this a Federal issue. Mr. Elliott talked about the State level which doesn t involve homeowners and then the Selectmen and Town Manager level and how much input will they have with this. Chairman Keller said in the end FERC is the key and also the public hearings is deemed as the predominant means by which a family impacted is helped by and this body, performs in an advisory capacity and any finding we make would be messaged to State Level but in the end, FERC holds all the keys. Peter Hanlon, Blue Fox Road asked about the existing lines and if they give enough capacity. Mr. Hamrich said the existing line now can only hold capacity it has, and he talked about the current line being with a different company. Chairman Keller asked if a different alternative Mr. Hanlon asked about has ever been studied. Mr. Hamrich stated it has not. Maureen Hanlon, Blue Fox Road, talked about the proposed route being more economical and the Powerpoint she has available to show does show the large impact this will have on the land. Mr. Hamrich said one factor is economics and also the reconstruction of the land is done by the company. Dennis Lang, 0 Hunters Run talked about the sized pipes in discussion. Mr. Hamrich reiterated the current pipes and what is being proposed which is to take out the 0 line and replace with the 0. Town of Salem NH Page

4 Board of Selectmen April, James McCarty, Silverbrook Road asked about the Union Leader and the article on the energy crisis in New England. Mr. Keady said his company is responding for an additional need for gas and there customer in New Hampshire is signed up with them to deliver gas to homes in New Hampshire. Mike McCarthy, Bounty Court asked about page of the document given out today about definition of Salem and page - talking about different sized pipes and the doubling of the size and right-of-way and what are the plans on moving pipes and also he asked about the equipment storage locally. Mr. McCarthy asked about training for safety personnel and is Kinder Morgan going to give funding for this. Mr. Hamrich stated what he is referring to is a table of general construction widths, equipment yards will be looked into to store equipment, permitting processes will be looked into, Mr. Hamrich addressed the emergency question stating when the pipeline is operational, it will be similar to the way it is operated now and will be part of the processed addressed to the Town by Kinder Morgan. Ms. Paquette stated she is a resident in Salem and asked about needing more fire and police and is Kinder Morgan going to finance this. Phil Morrissey, Theresa Avenue wanted to confirm the size of the pipe that comes from Maple Street junction. Mr. Hamrich said it is an. Mr. Morrissey asked about going along and then reversing gas and how there would only be cutting along the highway. Dennis Lang, 0 Hunter s Run asked about taking a pipe offline and how that impact will be. Mr. Hamrich talked about taking a pipe off-service and working on that and also talked about the off-set distance and the separation distance and that this process was done in Concord. David Blatti, Hunters Run asked about the main goal getting to the meter station, why don t they go down, build a new station and also another question was coming on the other side of Worlds End. Mr. Hamrich stated they will look into and told the public if they have a good suggestion, please feel free to reach out to them with that information. Selectman Hargreaves said we are a member of the Southern New Hampshire HAZMAT region and have access to training and equipment. Selectman Hargreaves asked about going through a property and protection of families in the area. Town of Salem NH Page

5 Board of Selectmen April, Mr. Lennon talked about residential construction techniques which are looked into with fencing around workspace, equipment storage, security for area and that there are additional steps taken to make sure the area and equipment is protected. Selectman Campbell asked about plans regarding emergency situations that could occur. Town Manager Hickey will have to check with the Fire Department Chief for this information. Chairman Keller asked about homeowner negotiation and the process, methodology and end result. Mr. Lennon talked about plans, discussions and adjusting techniques on their property and if there is no resolution. Mr. Lennon said the company would defer it to the Federal Regulatory Commission and at the end of that process, if they agree they could issue a right for the company to grant this change and compensation would be settled by a court ordered appraisal. Mr. Lennon said if a large majority do not grant approval there are alternate methods to use, title research, aerial surveys and other ways to gather data and ultimately through the government process there would be areas that they have to get access to and the company could be granted access. Chairman Keller asked about bonds that are posted. Mr. Lennon said there are a number of bonds posted and are at the direction of town agencies. Chairman Keller asked about FERC and what, when happens. Mr. Lennon detailed that FERC.gov is available to post electronic documents or send in letters regarding the project, an open house has been hosted and there will be FERC hosted meetings where residents can get their opinions on the record. Mr. Lennon said this fall they will file and our agents will have contact information that they carry to give residents if they are concerned. Mr. Lennon also said there will be FERC monitors that will be available to monitor the project. Mr. Hamrich said FERC will schedule the meetings and that they will run the meetings and it all will be documented. Mr. Lennon said FERC will send a letter to each resident inviting them to meetings. Mr. Keady will supply additional information on this process to the Town. Selectman Lyons asked if the FERC Commission or staff run the meetings and their timeline. Mr. Hamrich said it will be run by their staff and it will officially goes on the record of FERC and the vote will be in 0. Mr. Hamrich gave information on FERC filing and voting and the possibility of route adjustments. Chairman Keller asked about alternative routes and if they should be submitted to FERC itself. Town of Salem NH Page

6 Board of Selectmen April, Mr. Hamrich said that can be done and their company will look into those alternatives. Ms. Hanlon commented that Kinder Morgan is a member of the Salem Chamber of Commerce and have sponsored events and she called the Chamber about this. Mr. Hanlon also mentioned an article she read regarding the need for energy and that there is not an increased need for energy at this time. Mr. Blatti said residents need to contact FERC to convince that the pipeline is not good to put through our neighborhood and the important meetings will be the FERC meetings. Tom Campbell requested the Board of Selectmen to send information to the State regarding the residents concern over this and the need to look into other alternatives. Selectman Hargreaves stated comments tonight are not of the entire residents of Salem. Chairman Keller thanked the representatives from Kinder Morgan for attending tonight s meeting and going beyond their scheduled time. A Powerpoint presentation supplied by resident Maureen Hanlon, Blue Fox Run, was shown regarding the impact of a pipeline to land. MOTION: by Selectman McBride Move that the Board of Selectmen send a letter to legislative delegation at State and National Levels requesting that Kinder Morgan research two alternatives pathways for the pipeline: one along and other on other side of World s End Pond and to submit that request through the FERC website for their reading and to copy Kinder Morgan. The letter will be signed by all Selectmen. SECOND: by Selectman Hargreaves VOTE: -0-0 The motion ADJOURNMENT AT :00 P.M. MOTION: by Selectman Hargreaves Move to adjourn SECOND: Selectman McBride VOTE: -0-0 The motion passed unanimously Notes/minutes taken by: Lori Smerdon Approved: Board of Selectmen Date Approved: May, 0 Town of Salem NH Page